Success: Objectivity in Life

Coming towards the year-end, many people will be looking back at 2013 and wonder how successful they have been. Success generally comes in terms of work and earning money, achievements, marriage, etc. People may find they have been successful in one area, yet lacking in another. Or they have been successful all the way through, yet still a sense of insecurity or sadness is there.  What is it that binds us to sadness? How come we can't just be happy with what we have and the way we are?

All Natural, Organic Deodorant

Nobody can question the vastness and perfection of nature. Nature works in such a way, that it really takes care of everything. The creation works because if these unwritten laws, and through that, it is sustained.

With our bodies too. When we are cold, our body-hair stands up in order to catch heat and insulate the body. And when we are hot, we sweat. Sweating is like the body's natural air conditioning. It uses water to cool down the body.

Unfortunately, deodorants these days intervene with this system.

Shānti Mantra: Bhadram Karnebhih

This Shānti Mantra belongs to the Atharva Veda, and is chanted before Mundaka Upanishad, Māndukya Upanishad, and Prashna Upanishad. Shānti Mantras are always chanted by both the teacher and the student, praying for shānti in the class, and in one's life. Shānti in terms of learning comes as freedom from any type of obstacles which may stand in between the student and the study of the Upanishad, or between the student and the teacher. Even if the commitment is there, there can be unforeseen obstacles which will make it difficult. Thus, we pray and tap into the grace of Ishwara, asking for our efforts to be utilized well. Success comes through both the student's effort as well as one's grace.

This Shānti Mantra is also a general prayer, and can be chanted by anyone seeking for good health and wellbeing. In this prayer, different devatas are invoked- each devata presiding over a different part of creation. Here, the student addresses Indra, the Sun, Garuda, and Brhaspati, asking for their blessing.